Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-11-24

Aa6 "AANaL1AS w LIZ N4~ArA-
hesitated, but only for moment, and again
steeled himself to this sneaking way of spy
ing upon an unsuspicious and lovely being.
At a glance they took in the whole state
of affairs.
Directly below sat the Princess, bending
over her painting Thank Heavenl the
sketch was not yet finished.
At least two days work upon it were nee
essary ere it could be taken. even in the
rough state. to finish in the studio. At the
expiration of that time he hoped to return,
and-thenl
Close beside Natalie sat Lydia, an open
book in her lap, lost in a brown study.
The air was very calm and the two spies.
without much effort, could hear the slight
est sound below. The Princess, bending
low over her painting, was saying, in quiet,
Indifferent tone of voice:
ssLydia, who was that with whom you
were talking last nighta''
Lydia became suddenly wide-awake, and
nervously replied:
s'You mean the young American with
whom was tete-G-tete. as you came down
the stairs, suppose. Whyl'
Because" said the Princess. turning her
large dark eyes toward her questioner, in a
frank, ingenious manner, "because he had
so sad face, / felt interested in him. Do
you know his history?"
81 was about to ask when you had met
him. Natalie, and what you knew about
himl'
Fairfax face flushed crimson at the Prin-
cess mention of himself. Now that he had
become the subject of their conversation. he
could be eavesdropper no longer and at
tempted to pull Dick away by force. But
that wide-awake individual suddenly be-
came as obdurate as his friend. In loud,
clear whisper he said:
-ssIf YOU don't unhand me- I'll yell; and
then your game III be up"
Fairfax. surprised at this unexpected turn
in affairs, and recognizing the fact that
Richards obstinacy had become aroused,
retired in confusion.
A secret Joy filled his heart Natalie had
acknowledged an interest in him-more than
his widest dreams could have realized! To
be sure it was contemplative sort of an
interest, but she hadn't vouchsafed even
that to any other male-at least, SO Dick
had said.
For the moment, the foolish young fellow
gave himself up to JOY, and had the effront-
cry to thank Heaven for his luck
Meanwhile, the incorrigible Dick, who
was now in his element. chuckled to him
self and lay there listening with all his ears.
At Lydia,s question, Natalie turned to-
wards her with unfeigned surprise-every
thing about this girl was genuine; she ex-
pressed nothing she did not iceland re-
marked, almost dropping her painting
palette:
NV dear Lydia, I! nerer sdp him be-
fore, What do you meani"
ssThen, why did you both blush so con-
sciously when your eyes met! l never saw
a man so disturbed as he was when he
caught sight of you.''
A slight flush suffused the lace OF Ma
talie as she answered:
sI wasn't aware that he was disturbed
II so, it may have been at finding himself
the cynosure of a staring pair OF eyes 1
WAS simply annoyed at finding myself
caught gazing so boldly at an entire stran-
ger"
s.That NAV be true In your case, but GER
tainIy not in his. No strange man ever yet
could be so visibiy embarrassed as he at
finding himself the objective point OF
pretty wonan's eye" replied the wise
lydia. with Solomon-hke air. $50, there,
nv dear. you're entirely wrong, know.
.syou NAV lust bet on that, ma cher" said
the irrepressible Richard, soto roee from
above.
land continued she, ''to tell the truth
vou and have no secrets, you know-lm
little curious as to the history OF the 1eiiow
myself"
amined her boot for moment ana IN
GOING to au,use myself by studying him
tr;fle That fiy-away, Dick Oxford dick
made a wry face and remarked aside:
IS thank Won ma 'amr'-'s says he is OF noble
birth and can trace his lineage back to Lord
Fairfax: that he is gentleman OF leisure;
but. from a feeling of duty, has accepted
very high position in some departments Oh
y Nav God forgive me for that whopperr
the penitential Dick to himself.